Healthy Ageing
Healthy Ageing
This information is intended for health professionals (general practice, residential aged care facilities and allied health). For healthy ageing initiatives intended for members of the public, please go here.
My Aged Care
My Aged Care is the entry point for people aged 65 years and over and Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years and over if they are to access aged care. When you or your clients contact MAC, they will determine whether they need the aged care assessment team (ACAT) or regional assessment service (RAS).
There are a number of ways to refer a client to My Aged Care:
- Doctors and general practices using Medical Director, Best Practice or Genie Practice management systems can use the new pre-populating e-referral form.
- Doctors, nurses and allied health staff using other systems can use the online make a referral form.
- There is a new online form available that allows clients, or someone acting on their behalf, to apply for their first assessment online as an alternative to calling.
- If you believe your client is already receiving aged care services, you can call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 to find out more information before you decide to make a referral.
You will need your client's consent, or that of their legal representative, to obtain or provide any information to My Aged Care.
Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT)
ACAT create assessments which determine if a person with chronic and complex health conditions require co-ordination and referrals for home care packages, respite in residential aged care, or permanent placement in residential aged care. Whilst clients will receive assessments, there may be a waitlist for home care packages or aged care placements, depending on the service provider’s availability.
- Home care packages are individualised to clients which may include services such as personal care, nursing, allied health and other clinical services. They are case managed and income tested. There are 4 levels of care which a client can qualify for (ranges from level 1 which is 1-2 hours of care per week to level 4, high level care, which hours of support vary).
- Residential aged care home (RACH) placements are organised through individual service providers. To enquire if any beds are available, the client will need to send an enquiry through to that RACH. They will also need a copy of the client’s ACAT assessment.
Regional Assessment Services (RAS)
The RAS team will assess clients who need in home support under the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP). Clients who get assessed with the RAS are generally not as complex as clients who get assessed via the ACAT. Services include personal care, activities of daily living, allied health and aids to stay independent. For full information and eligibility criteria, visit My Aged Care - CHSP.
Care Finder
A Care Finder supports a vulnerable older person who does not have family or friends who can help, and who could not be able to arrange services without intensive support. They can help assist navigate MAC and find and choose services. This service is currently available in Lithgow, Blue Mountains, Penrith and Hawkesbury. The Care Finder service is supported by the NBMPHN.
Visit our website for a flyer on the care finder program for your clients.
Tradsitional Aged Care program (TACP)
The TACP provide care for older people for up to 12 weeks after a hospital stay. You need to be a patient in a hospital. An assessor will need to visit you in hospital for an assessment. For information on client eligibility on the TACP, please ask the Nurse Unit Manager of the ward they are staying in.
Blue Mountains - Older Persons Nurse Practitioner
Blue Mountains Hospital employ a Nurse Practitioner, specialising in the care of the older people, to work in Katoomba and Springwood hospitals and in RACFs from Springwood to Mount Victoria.
GPs can refer patients in the community or in RACFs, who may need advanced assessment and management of acute illness and requiring advanced interventions in such as IV antibiotics, cognitive decline, wound care, continence needs, advanced care planning, palliative care (in conjunction with palliative care community teams) and BPSD support.
Referrals can be made by calling Sharon Bradshaw on 0457 438 674 or by email.
My Medicare
MyMedicare is a voluntary patient registration model that aims to formalise the relationship between patients, their general practice, general practitioner (GP) and primary care teams. The Australian Government has introduced MyMedicare as part of an ongoing commitment to strengthening Medicare for all Australians. Long term, MyMedicare will support regular health assessments, care plans and regular GP visits (for patients in aged care through the GP aged care incentive measure from August 2024).
Patients of a general practice, including aged care residents will need to register with their GP to gain the benefits. Aged care staff are asked to assist residents to register their ‘MyMedicare’ forms with their GP. The form can then forwarded to the resident’s GP practice.
Resources for MyMedicare include:
